The Project And New Food

I spent the morning "washing that gray right out of my hair". Anyone remember that old commercial?? What a freakin project to do this every 4 weeks! I didn't even exercise this morning. I think I got in enough yesterday for today, though! When the hair project was completed, I had a leisurely breakfast - 3/4 c. Puffins, 1/2 c. unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze and a ton of blueberries for 3 POINTS...


I got some fun mail delivered today! Carol from Uncovering Food randomly chose me as her July "Follower of the Month". How cool is that?! No giveaways to enter, just follow her blog and she could choose you as her Follower of the Month! She sent me this package of goodies; well, not just me, she added something for the daughters, too! That sure won them over!


Not long after putting away our goodie bag, I was starving! Maybe knowing I wanted to try these new Dominex Eggplant Burgers for lunch made me extra hungry...

The nutritionals are terrific...

Only 1 POINT per patty!

I followed the skillet method of cooking using nonstick cooking spray...

All burgers must have cheese! My new fave as of late...

One slice is only 1 POINT and full of flavor...

I put my eggplant burger between 2 slices of Pepperidge Farm Light Style Wheat and added additional toppings of baby spinach and roasted red pepper. The usual sides came along - Kettle Baked Potato Chips and a juicy sweet plum...

It was a terrific 6 POINT lunch! The eggplant burger is very similar in texture to a Boca veggie-type burger, but the flavor is definitely bumped up a notch. Some of the veggie-type burgers can be bland, but not these eggplant burgers. They are a great find!

I had some errands to run late in the afternoon and started to feel hungry again. I decided to have a small snack to tide me over. And I do mean small. These mini Clif Bars are itty bitty...

Not sure they are worth the 100 calories! It was an o.k. 1 POINT snack :(

Dinner was a homemade "frozen dinner" of Chicken and Broccoli with Garlic Sauce for 5 POINTS...

and a side of these "heat and eat" veggies...

The whole package is only 90 calories and 1 POINT...

I was in the mood for a big fat dessert! But, I chose a skinny one - Deep Chocolate Vitatop with a scoop of Breyers Fat Free Double Churn French Chocolate and a tiny squirt of light whipped cream for 3 POINTS...

I think I won't be a total slug, so I'll do the 10 minute strength training tonight!

It's almost Friday.......... =]

WANT Power

I'm driven by WANT power today! Well, that and all of your amazing encouraging comments! Thank you so much for your kind words; it really does keep me going :) I hope that article gave some of you an extra boost, too and insight into, perhaps, a missing piece of this weight loss journey that we are on.

I'm excited about trying out this new POINT tracking experiment. It was strange, though, to put this morning's breakfast on last night's tracking day! I woke up hungry, too, which doesn't normally happen, but I decided to push off breakfast until I got in my workout. I did a 35 minute weighted stint on the elliptical, then got to making some eats. I went with 3 scrambled egg whites with a slice of 2% cheese and 1 tbsp. salsa and a half serving of TJ's Multigrain Savory Thins for 3 POINTS...


I don't think I've mentioned these before. They are a tasty cracker! Basically a rice chip with added grains and seeds....


A full serving is 17 crackers and only 2 POINTS! I just went with 8 crackers this morning, which was plenty...

A little later, I fed my Frap addiction with a homemade Caramel Lite Frap made with coffee. 3 tbsp. fat free half and half, 2 tbsp. sugar free caramel syrup and lots of ice. Good stuff and this one's only 1 POINT...

For lunch, I made another version of turkey burgers - Ranch Turkey Burgers! For these, I used

• 20 oz. ground turkey breast
• 4 tbsp. Light Ranch Dressing (I use Kraft Light Three Cheese Dressing)
• 1 tsp. Hidden Valley Ranch Dry Mix ( packet)
• 1/4 c. chopped scallions

1. Mix ingredients and shape into 6 burgers.
2. Cook about 4 minutes per side.

I ran this through the Etools Recipe Builder and came up with 3 POINTS per burger. I grilled mine and served it on a honey wheat bun with lettuce and pickles. It was great! The key to turkey burgers is to NOT overcook them; otherwise they get all dried out. But, these were cooked just right and had a nice flavor to them. I served it with 1 cup cherries and 1/2 c. leftover barbecue bean salad. A filling 8 POINT lunch...

Later in the afternoon, I felt like having a snack. I decided on a filling snack of High Fiber O's, 1/2 c. nonfat greek yogurt and 1 tbsp. dried cranberries for 3 POINTS...

Dinner was heat and eat. I'm trying to dwindle down the freezer stash! I decided on 2 TJ's stirfry veggie eggrolls and a bowl of Tabatchnick Vegetable Soup for 5 POINTS...

It was just right! I WANTed to fit in dessert :) It's okay; I had the POINTS, but I kept it simple. Just a plain, old Deep Chocolate Vitatop with no accoutrements for 1 POINT...

And it was just fine and hit the spot ;)

Now, I still have 4 POINTS left for breakfast tomorrow! For some reason this little mind game/tweaking helped out today. It's new and different. Also, I like the fact that I feel like I am eating quite a bit of food, yet I go to bed knowing that I still have POINTS left for the morning. It's all robbing peter to pay paul, so to speak, but hey, it's something different. When I look at my day, I'm just tacking on a couple more POINTS to lunch and taking them away from dinner. But, I think it may be a better way to eat overall anyway. Many Europeans eat this way, too with their largest meals being eaten midday and lighter in the a.m. and late evening. My parents eat that way when they visit Italy every year and come home having lost weight despite large multicourse midday meals. And you know, French women don't get fat ;P Well, until they come to America and eat at Mickey D's.

So, the experiment continues! But, danger lurkes at my nephew's graduation party tomorrow evening :0

I will keep reminding myself : I'VE GOT THE POWER!!!

Have a great night =)

More Of The Same

I was up and out early this morning to make my WW meeting. Not that I was in any rush to get weighed or anything. No big excitement on the scale. It was exactly the same. I can't be upset about it. I haven't been keeping up with my "following the program to the T" strategy. Too much picking going on. But, I spoke with the receptionist while I was there. She has lost 100 lbs. and has kept it off since 1984. I talked with her about my frustration with myself and about getting to goal. I am coming up on 2 years at the end of July and I really hoped to get to my goal and be on the way to achieving Lifetime status. She told me it took her 4 years to get there. Wow. That made me feel a little better. I'm declaring the high end of my weight range for my goal weight even though it's probably not where I would want to settle in at. But, at the rate I'm going, I don't want it to take a lifetime to get to Lifetime! I can see it now. I'll be a real looker when I get to goal at age 90. I might not have teeth, but I'll be the hottest chick in the nursing home ;P In my thong. Eeeewww. Sorry, did you just throw up a little bit?? Okay, in an effort to erase that visual from your damaged mind, I will get to the food...


After the meeting, I came home and made a breakfast wrap with a La Tortilla Factory Tortilla, 3 egg whites, baby spinach, center cut bacon and a slice of 2% cheese for 4 POINTS...


For lunch I tried these new veggie burgers that I picked up the other day...

The nutritionals are great...

These burgers are made with beans, corn, zucchini, string beans, oat bran and a host of other good veggies. They have a nice kick to them and taste a whole lot like the California Veggie Burger also made by Dr. Praeger. I served mine on an Arnold Sandwich Thin with lettuce and a squirt of lite ranch along with a serving of soy crisps and a fuji apple. A healthy 6 POINT lunch...

I took the daughters to see a play this afternoon at little daughter's school. It was very cute and entertaining. When we got back, I made a snack of 1/2 c. TJ's nonfat greek yogurt, 1/2 c. Kashi Go Lean Crunch, 2 strawberries and a tsp. chocolate syrup for 2 POINTS...

Dinner was pasta and salad for the husband and daughters, but I wasn't in the mood for pasta. Well, I was, but not only 1 cup of pasta! It's just too little of a serving to make me happy. I searched around the freezer and came upon this guy...

It has been in my freezer for an eternity. I'm trying to make sure I eat the freezer stock, so since the date was okay, I decided to eat it for dinner. It's a pretty good bargain for 4 POINTS, but I wasn't having high hopes that it would be good!

I made these to go along with it...

Altogether, a 6 POINT dinner...

But, I only ate some. Here's what I left...

That was one yucky frozen dinner. The chicken was rubbery and "fake", the pasta was flavorless and the sauce was weirdly spicy. The flavors didn't jive. Ick. The TJ's Potato Medley, on the other hand, was terrific! I should have just eaten a big dish of that!

I picked on a roll from the family's dinner, then cleaned up and moved on to dessert. I thought I would give the VitaHearts another try. I had the idea of icing them, so I thought that may redeem them. I made a Chocolate Espresso Glaze by mixing 1 tsp. unsweetened cocoa, 1 tsp. powdered sugar, 1/8 tsp. instant espresso powder and 1/2 tsp. skim milk and spread it onto the VitaHeart...

Well, the hearts are still dry, but the glaze was amazing!!! The espresso gave it a prominent flavor making it taste like dark chocolate. So good! I can't wait to try this on the Deep Chocolate Vitatops that I love! Come back tomorrow night; I'll let you know how it is!!

I ended the night with a giant latte made with skim milk for 2 POINTS...

Decaf, of course! Goodnight =)

I'm Really Trying

I'm really trying hard this week. Trying hard to be On Program. Trying hard to eat as many "whole" foods as possible. It's going pretty well which always makes me feel better and more positive that I can get to goal :)

I woke up to a yucko day outside, so no 5K outdoor run. I decided to do some cleaning instead and save my workout for later. I finally got around to breakfast which was another open-faced omelette. This combo was 3 egg whites, 4 thin slices canadian bacon, 1/2 c. leftover chopped broccoli and 1 oz. Cabot 75% Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese. A yummy 3 POINTS...



This didn't hold me as long as I thought and I was ready for lunch earlier than I expected. I went with another Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Bun topped with 2 tbsp. homemade hummus, roasted peppers and baby spinach. Yum! With it, I had a fuji apple, some carrots and another 1/2 homemade Larabar. A very filling 7 POINT lunch...


After lunch, I did 40 weighted minutes on the elliptical and 20 tricep dips. I've been slacking on the strength training, but I like doing the tricep dips and Lord knows my "Miss America" wave could use the help!

I was getting a little hungry in the late afternoon, so I grabbed some grapes (1 POINT)...

Who IS this person that snacks on grapes in the afternoon???? I don't know, but I'm feeling like it's the right thing to do ;)

The in-laws came for dinner tonight. I decided to make a nice, healthy meal of roasted chicken, roasted sweet potatoes, salad with olive oil, red wine vinegar and a touch of honey. Of course, we had to have some amazing rustic Italian bread. I did well with my portions; about 3 oz. chicken, 3 oz. sweet potatoes, 2 oz. bread and big spoon of salad, all for 9 POINTS...

Everyone started digging into some cookies for dessert. I was planning on just having coffee, but the cookies were tempting, so I brought out the big gun...

Then, everyone wanted MY dessert! But, I'm not sharing. Nope. It's mine. All mine. muwahh haaa haaa!!!! =)

Hope you had a great weekend!

Enjoying The Day

It's been a nice low key Saturday. Despite the million things I need to get done before next week, I took the time to enjoy the day.

I started off on the treadmill this morning for a 45 min. run. I haven't run outside in a while, but it was too yucky out today, so the treadmill and mindless TV were a great substitute.

Breakfast was a simple bowl of 3/4 c. Trader Joe's High Fiber O's, 1/2 c. skim milk and 8 strawberries for 3 POINTS...



After tooling around on the computer for the rest of the morning, I got presentable and headed to the kitchen for lunch prep. I had to have another Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Bun today. Looks like this will be my newest addiction! I love how hearty they are; they really do satisfy me for a while. I had one with turkey, mixed lettuce and dijon mustard and a side of carrots with 1 tbsp. homemade hummus. And that small square in the front is a "homemade Larabar"! I found this recipe here and I thought I would try the Very Cherry version. I really liked it! I have only tried a Larabar once and it was a long time ago, so I don't know how it measures up to the original, but it's great anyway! I'd love to try some of the other versions, too. When I put this recipe through the Recipe Builder, it came out to 4 POINTS. A little pointy for a bar, but I only ate half (shown below) so it was 2 POINTS and good for you! Altogether, a delicious and healthy 7 POINTS...

I spent the afternoon shopping and sharing some one-on-one time with big daughter. It was so nice to spend this UNINTERRUPTED (little daughter) time together. We had a great time! We stopped at Starbucks for a quick drink- she got a spring water and I got a nonfat latte for 2 POINTS.

We got home close to dinner, so I got busy cooking. Pasta was on the menu - raviolis and meatballs for the family; pasta with chickpeas and mozzarella for me. I made a quick sauce using 1/2 c. diced tomatoes cooked with 1 tsp. olive oil and 1 clove of garlic. While this was cooking, I boiled 2 oz. whole wheat pasta until al dente. I added pasta, along with 1/2 c. chickpeas, to the tomatoes and heated through. I topped it with 1 oz. mini mozzarella balls and fresh basil. Delish...

and a side of steamed broccoli...

A great 8 POINT dinner:) It did leave me feeling a little hungry though, so dessert was a definite. I went with an old standby with a twist - Double Chocolate Vitatop with 1 tbsp. Almond Butter!!! I loved this combo, too! It was very rich tasting and the almond butter was a sweet alternative to icing. I still love my PB2, but this was a nice change. And still 2 POINTS of goodness...

I'm off to cuddle with the daughters and watch some TV. Hope you're having a cozy Saturday!

Happy Spring...I Think

Today is the first day of Spring -yay!!! Wouldn't know it by the weather...brrr. I had trouble sleeping last night, too because I was so cold. The husband tried to use his furnace-powered body to warm me, but even that didn't work. He thinks it's all in my head. He actually lies on top of the covers while I am snuggled under 2 blankets wearing sweats and socks. I would wear a parka if it wasn't so uncomfortable to sleep in. I look like I'm in Anartica, he looks like he's on the beach. I'm fairly certain he will spontaneously combust one day. Anywho, I braved the cold outside this morning and went for a lame-o 30 min. run. I say lame-o because I felt weak while I was running. Not sure why, maybe it's the running every day that is doing it. I think I will take a day off from running tomorrow and do the elliptical instead. I'll see what I'm feeling like in the a.m.

After my run, I had a delicious breakfast of a mock egg mcmuffin made with an Ezekiel English Muffin, egg white, slice of canadian bacon and a slice of 2 % cheese for 4 hearty POINTS...




I spent the rest of the morning doing lots of errands and couldn't wait to come home to this yummy Chicken BLT salad...

I used 2 oz. chicken, 2 slices of center-cut bacon (50 cal), lettuce, tomato and 1 tbsp. of Kraft Light Three Cheese Dressing. It is one of my favorite salads and only 4 POINTS!

I needed some crunch with that, so I had a serving of 96% fat free New York Style Mini Bagel Chips for 1 POINT...

I still felt a little hungry after that, so I cut up some perfectly ripe cantaloupe and added a few blueberries for 1 POINT...

I hung out with the daughters for a bit after school, then went through a bunch of old cooking mags and pulled tons of recipes. I'm such a recipe hound! I have 3 binders full and now, I just started a "try-me" folder that I will keep out and hopefully, do some advance meal planning with. I would love to be that organized!!

It was Pizza Night for dinner and I was not fretting one bit! I was really looking forward to my Margherita Flatbread pizza. I used one of the flatbreads that I made the other day and topped it with 1 tsp. garlic oil, sliced tomato and 3 small mozzarella balls sliced and a sprinkle of fresh basil. I put it in the oven for about 10 min. until the cheese was melted. YUM-O! I had some carrots and cantaloupe for a super tasty 7 POINT dinner...

Ah, and finally, an old friend...

I've missed my Vitatop/PB2 dessert!! It is always so filling and hits the spot! Gram's birthday is coming up and we are celebrating this weekend; I think I'll bring my Vita dessert so I won't be tempted to eat the regular cake!!! Hold me to that, okay??????

Have a great night everyone!!!!!

Back In Action

I was so glad to be outside today!! I was a little disappointed in the weather; I thought is was going to be sunny and warmer for my morning run, but that wasn't the case. In any event, I got the daughters off to school and headed out for my run. I was a bit weak this run, but after I got going, I felt better. As I was walking my cul-de-sac to cool down, my neighbor asked me if I wanted to walk, so I walked a little with her, too! Hi, Dana!!! Then, I came in to Shred! I realized after posting last night, that I forgot to list my Shred for yesterday afternoon. I got it in, even though little daughter was bugging the bejesus out of me during it!! Anyway, there are only 2 DAYS LEFT to the Shred Challenge! Hallelujah!

After my morning exercise extravaganza, I made a breakfast of Thomas' Light English Muffin with a wedge of Laughing Cow Light and a Weight Watchers Strawberry Yogurt for 3 POINTS...


I had some shopping to do after, then stopped home to eat a quick lunch. I went with an Arnold Sandwich Thin with 2 oz. turkey, 1 tbsp. white bean hummus, lettuce and tomato, a serving of Soy Crisps and a side of carrots. A speedy 5 POINT lunch...


For a lunchtime goodie, I had one of these Luna Cookies. I have to say they taste more like a "bar" than a cookie. In fact, they have the same texture and chewiness of the Clif Z Bars that I like (hmmm.... they ARE the same company). This Chocolate Mint flavor was 130 cal., 3 gr. fat and 3 gr. fiber which comes to 2 POINTS. It was tasty, but I think the Clif Z Chocolate Brownie Bar is better and much less expensive! I paid 1.69 for the Luna Cookie, but I get the Clif Z Bars at Trader Joe's for 69 cents! Huge difference, but I am a sucker for packaging and these "looked cute" ...



Well, this lunchtime dessert led to another in the form of the last No Pudge Brownie! I counted this 2 POINT treat in my tracker right away and then got the heck out of the house before I started digging for something else! It worked and I felt my munching feeling go away. I was glad about that; I really wanted to stay on track today.

The afternoon flew by with the usual grind of homework and projects. I decided to forego afterschool activities since this was little daughter's first day back to school this week. The husband was working late, so the daughter's got to have their choice for dinner. I bought lots of baby eggplant at the produce store today, so I decided to work my dinner around those cuties. I ended up with Eggplant, Tomato and Chick Pea Rigatoni! I sauteed 3 baby eggplant in 1 tsp. olive oil, garlic and a bit of sliced onion. I added 3/4 c. canned petite diced tomatoes ,1/2 c. drained chick peas, some basil, salt and pepper. I let this simmer while I cooked 1 c. rigatoni pasta. I topped the pasta with the eggplant mixture and 2 tbsp. parmesan cheese. Oh my greatness! I think I could eat this delicious 7 POINT dinner every night...

Then, it was dessert - AGAIN! I went back to my good old fave - Triple Chocolate Vitatop with PB2/fluff icing for 2 POINTS...

And that was my back in action/on track day! So, a couple things before I go: a) my BLBE WI sucked royally this morning - +2.8 lbs. But, that was no big surprise since the wagon that I fell off "crashed and burned" this week! b) I feel very relaxed. What I mean is, I am not having a fit or flipping out about this gain. I know why it happened and I know it's gonna happen sometimes. And I'm o.k. about it. It's not forever. I am not going backward . I'm not going to gain back 70 lbs. I'm going to keep on trying til I get to goal; then I'm going to keep on trying to lead the healthy lifestyle that I need to so that I can keep the weight off for my lifetime. Yesiree!

Have a great night!